Committee approves multiple infrastructure contracts, renewals and purchases by consent

The Columbia County Public Works and Engineering Services Committee approved a package of consent items on March 25 covering system upgrades, construction change orders, consultant agreements and equipment purchases.

Key items approved by consent included a SCADA system upgrade contract recommendation with Southern Flow for an initial cost of $610,820; staff said the county expects to average about $90,000 in annual savings over 10 years from the system replacement and to gain cybersecurity features such as two-factor authentication. Mr. Gordon presented that item and staff recommended approval.

Other consent approvals included a deductive change order with RCN Contracting for the sheriff’s repair garage (staff said allowances were being cleared and the project came in on budget), an independent-contractor agreement with Blue Water Engineering Services to perform erosion-control and post-rain monitoring for the Uchee Creek (Oochy/Uchee) Force Main for under $10,000, and a contract renewal with Goodwyn Mills & Caywood for periodic hydraulic model maintenance for $18,000 (July 1–June 30 term).

The committee also approved a Crawford Creek sewer trunk line replacement change order totaling $577,101.91; staff said unanticipated rock and extended bypass pumping drove the cost increase. An independent-contractor award to N and P Fence for $85,791 to repair security fencing at the Re Creek plant was approved; staff noted clearing/trees increased the cost and that the county would seek BEMA reimbursement and insurance where applicable.

The committee approved the purchase of 39 emergency-vehicle preemption modules (sometimes called preemption or vehicle control units) for $124,410 to equip the remaining fire/rescue fleet. A bid and contract with Jay Long to install a mini-roundabout at General Wood Parkway and Riverwood Parkway for $569,884.14 (four-month completion estimate) was approved and staff said it would be funded from SPLOST funds.

A consultant agreement with Cranston Engineering for design services on the Watson Bailey Road improvement project was approved for $81,580; staff estimated construction costs around $2,000,000 and said the funding source would be returned to the board at a later date (the independent-contractor agreement itself was approved by consent while the project funding decision was deferred). The committee also approved a one-year, time-and-materials agreement with Goodwyn Mills & Caywood to provide MPO consulting support at up to $5,000 per month (total $60,000) to help the county pursue federal MPO funding and Transportation Improvement Plan opportunities.

Finally, the committee accepted as-completed improvements from Blackstone Development Company (sewer utility relocation in River Island) and accepted improvements for Tillery Park South including roads, storm, water and sewer systems plus associated rights-of-way and easements.

Votes at a glance

- SCADA upgrade (Southern Flow): recommended $610,820 — approved by consent - RCN Contracting deductive change order (sheriff’s repair garage): approved by consent — amount not specified in transcript - MB Con final change order (two water treatment plants): sent to debate (see separate item) - Blue Water Engineering Services (Uchee Creek monitoring): approved by consent — estimated under $10,000 - Goodwyn Mills & Caywood hydraulic model renewal: $18,000 — approved by consent - Crawford Creek sewer trunk change order: $577,101.91 — approved by consent - N and P Fence (Re Creek plant fence repair): $85,791 — approved by consent; staff will seek BEMA/insurance reimbursement - Emergency vehicle preemption modules (39 units): $124,410 — approved by consent - Mini roundabout (Jay Long): $569,884.14 — approved by consent; four-month completion estimate; SPLOST funding - Watson Bailey Road consultant agreement (Cranston Engineering): $81,580 — approved by consent; construction funding source to be identified later - MPO consulting (Goodwyn Mills & Caywood): $5,000/month, up to $60,000/year — approved by consent - Acceptance of Blackstone Development improvements (River Island sewer relocation): approved by consent - Acceptance of Tillery Park South improvements (roads, storm, water, sewer, ROWs/easements): approved by consent - Proclamation: April as Safe Digging Month in Columbia County — approved by consent

Committee members moved the consent package and multiple items carried with "So moved" recorded in the transcript; the MB Con closeout was removed from consent and moved to debate for additional committee consideration.